The body's power to resist infection is called?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2021

Explanation

Immunity is formally defined as a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infections and disease.
It is the resistance exhibited by the host's body against injury caused by microorganisms and their products.
The immune system is composed of a complex network of cells and proteins that work together to defend the body against foreign invaders.

Option A: Infection is the process of invasion and multiplication of pathogens within the body. It is the condition that immunity is meant to prevent, not the resistance itself.
Option B: Hypersensitivity is an undesirable and exaggerated reaction by the immune system to a substance that is normally harmless, such as in allergies or autoimmune disorders. It represents a malfunction of immunity, not its protective capacity.
Option D: Enzymes are proteins that catalyze (speed up) biochemical reactions. While some enzymes are involved in the immune response (like lysozyme in tears), they are tools used by the system, not the overall state of resistance.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Definition of Immunity helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses are central to promoting immunity through vaccination programs, educating patients on vaccine importance and schedules, and administering vaccines.
Assessing a patient's immune status (e.g., immunocompromised due to chemotherapy, HIV, or certain medications) is a critical nursing responsibility for planning care and preventing infections.
What if a patient is immunocompromised? The nurse's priority shifts from relying on the patient's own immunity to implementing strict infection control measures (like protective isolation) to shield them from pathogens, as their power to resist infection is dangerously low.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key phrase in the question: 'power to resist infection'.
Recognize this as a definition-based (factual recall) question.
Systematically evaluate each option against this key phrase.
The term 'Immunity' is the direct and precise medical term for the body's ability to resist infection.
Eliminate the other options by defining them: 'Infection' is the problem, not the solution; 'Hypersensitivity' is an overreaction of the immune system; 'Enzymes' are catalysts for chemical reactions.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QyYG-OsDeINS52DNg_lKRD

E6 Microbiology Applied AnjuDhir 3e Part 2 p. 83-85

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 1 Part 1 p. 79-81

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 167-169

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.